The first Safer Streets projects to improve safety and security in Balderton have been installed.
The funding is going towards several improvements and initiatives including improved lighting and CCTV, attitude and behaviour change sessions, and raising awareness for reporting antisocial behaviour.
Environmental improvements are also included in the programme and, as part of this the first share of the funding, has gone towards new bins and benches.
The benches have been installed at Coronation Street Park and replacement bins have also been installed there and at Balderton Lake to help reduce littering in the area.
This comes after the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire secured £1million for the Safer Streets 5 project via the Home Office.
As part of this, Balderton has received a share of that funding to help tackle neighbourhood crime, antisocial behaviour and violence against women and girls.
This is the fourth time Newark has benefitted from Safer Streets funding and over £1 million has been invested towards a safer Newark and Sherwood from the scheme to date.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said: “It was a pleasure to visit beautiful Balderton recently to speak with partners on the Safer Streets interventions coming to the area, thanks to the additional funding we’ve secured through the Home Office.
“We know there have been some troubles in the area with antisocial behaviour, particularly around the park area. That is why the addition of new high-quality CCTV as well as environmental improvements such as new bins and benches will make a massive difference to feelings of safety to the people of Balderton.
“This also marks one of the first times we’re working alongside a Parish Council as well as a District Council in addition to our partners at Nottinghamshire Police. Safer Streets is an amazing opportunity for us to collaborate and build lasting partnerships locally all while working together to make our communities even safer.”
These environmental improvements have been included in the project to target and reduce what is known as the broken windows theory, which suggests that that if an area has littering, graffiti or visible signs of vandalism around it, it will often serve to attract other crime and antisocial behaviour.
Councillor Paul Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Community Relations at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We have already achieved significant results through our Safer Streets projects, and it is fantastic to see the work beginning in Balderton for Safer Streets 5.
“Improving community safety and security are the very core focus of the programme of work we have planned as part of the project, and I am looking forward to seeing the progress we make.
“The Safer Streets Project is a great example of our successful partnership working and our commitment to tackling antisocial behaviour and crime.
“In addition to this project there are some great things in the pipeline to help make our residents feel safer including our recent expansion of the Antisocial Behaviour Team, enhancing and improving our CCTV network and more. We will continue to push forward with this work to create a safer Newark and Sherwood.”
The previous round of Safer Streets funding saw interventions such as vehicle crime prevention days, new intercom systems, an innovative Safer Gyms scheme and more.
This led to reports that in Newark town centre where the action was taken, there was a 26% reduction in vehicle crime, a 19% drop in house burglary and a 16% fall in violence against women and girls.
Councillor Jane Buxton, Chair of Balderton Parish Council said: “Hopefully, by working together as a partnership with our Safer Street partners and by pooling our local knowledge and experience, the outcomes will be more beneficial for our community.
“The parish council are so pleased to see the first installations as part of the Safer Streets project coming to fruition.
“As we move forward with these plans, I sincerely hope our residents soon start seeing the benefits of this project, with a reduction in antisocial behaviour and feel safer when out and about in Balderton.”
The Safer Streets project is an ongoing partnership between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Nottinghamshire Police, Newark and Sherwood District Council, Balderton Parish Council amongst other local authorities.
Inspector Charlotte Ellam, District Commander for Newark and Sherwood, said: “I am aware that antisocial behaviour is consistently a concern for the community and has a significant impact on the lives of local residents and businesses.
“We have already seen some great successes through the Safer Streets project, and I am pleased to see that Balderton is benefitting from Safer Streets 5.
“We will continue to work hard, in partnership with both the district and parish council to ensure that this funding is used effectively to make some lasting changes that will benefit the whole community.”
To report antisocial behaviour in your neighbourhood, call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or visit the web page linked below to report.
Report antisocial behaviour | Nottinghamshire Police
Posted on Tuesday 27th February 2024